birth
UK[bɜːθ]US[bɜːrθ]
n
The event of a baby being born; the process of being born.
n
The beginning of something.
Etymology
The modern English word 'birth' derives from the Old Norse 'byrðr', meaning 'bearing, bringing forth'. It entered the English language during the period of Viking settlement and influence, eventually displacing the native Old English term 'gebyrd'. The Old Norse term is itself related to the verb 'bera', meaning 'to bear, to carry'. This etymological journey, from a concrete action of carrying and bringing forth, directly informs the modern abstract meanings related to the act of being born and the beginning of anything new.
Analysis
The word 'birth' is a simplex word of Old Norse origin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within modern English spelling.
Examples
The exact date of his birth is recorded in the family bible.
She gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
The birth of the internet revolutionized global communication.